Field experimental study on ground treatment of high fill embankments over expansive soils
Abstract In valley regions where high-fill embankments are constructed, inadequate foundation bearing capacity is a frequently encountered challenge. At the Ankang Airport relocation site, expansive soils primarily originating from the Upper to Middle Pleistocene are widely distributed, which introd...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2025-08-01
|
| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-14911-2 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849226323492339712 |
|---|---|
| author | Bin Hou Faning Dang Weihua Ding Haibin Xue Hong Zhan |
| author_facet | Bin Hou Faning Dang Weihua Ding Haibin Xue Hong Zhan |
| author_sort | Bin Hou |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract In valley regions where high-fill embankments are constructed, inadequate foundation bearing capacity is a frequently encountered challenge. At the Ankang Airport relocation site, expansive soils primarily originating from the Upper to Middle Pleistocene are widely distributed, which introduces substantial safety concerns for the stability of high-fill embankments. Prior to large-scale filling, a field experimental site was selected within the project area to conduct in-situ tests for ground improvement. Two ground reinforcement techniques—dynamic compaction and gravel pile compaction using driven casing—were implemented and assessed. Evaluations of physical and mechanical properties, including plate load and standard penetration tests (SPT), were carried out before and after the improvement procedures. Test results showed that the natural foundation soil had a characteristic bearing capacity of 260 kPa. Among the applied techniques, dynamic compaction replacement proved most effective, enhancing the bearing capacity to 580 kPa. However, due to the complex stratigraphy and shallow bedrock in certain zones, dynamic compaction may negatively impact bedrock stability. Numerical modeling further validated that dynamic compaction replacement induced the smallest settlement deformation. Targeted solutions were proposed in response to the issues identified during testing, offering practical guidance for similar foundation treatments in high-fill embankments over expansive soils. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ffb45450791347ed8e2e329fdfaa99d8 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-ffb45450791347ed8e2e329fdfaa99d82025-08-24T11:30:16ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-08-0115111610.1038/s41598-025-14911-2Field experimental study on ground treatment of high fill embankments over expansive soilsBin Hou0Faning Dang1Weihua Ding2Haibin Xue3Hong Zhan4Xi’an University of TechnologyXi’an University of TechnologyXi’an University of TechnologyXi’an University of TechnologySCEGC Mechanized Construction Group Co., Ltd.Abstract In valley regions where high-fill embankments are constructed, inadequate foundation bearing capacity is a frequently encountered challenge. At the Ankang Airport relocation site, expansive soils primarily originating from the Upper to Middle Pleistocene are widely distributed, which introduces substantial safety concerns for the stability of high-fill embankments. Prior to large-scale filling, a field experimental site was selected within the project area to conduct in-situ tests for ground improvement. Two ground reinforcement techniques—dynamic compaction and gravel pile compaction using driven casing—were implemented and assessed. Evaluations of physical and mechanical properties, including plate load and standard penetration tests (SPT), were carried out before and after the improvement procedures. Test results showed that the natural foundation soil had a characteristic bearing capacity of 260 kPa. Among the applied techniques, dynamic compaction replacement proved most effective, enhancing the bearing capacity to 580 kPa. However, due to the complex stratigraphy and shallow bedrock in certain zones, dynamic compaction may negatively impact bedrock stability. Numerical modeling further validated that dynamic compaction replacement induced the smallest settlement deformation. Targeted solutions were proposed in response to the issues identified during testing, offering practical guidance for similar foundation treatments in high-fill embankments over expansive soils.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-14911-2High fill embankmentExpansive soilDynamic compactionSand compaction pileIn-situ experimental study |
| spellingShingle | Bin Hou Faning Dang Weihua Ding Haibin Xue Hong Zhan Field experimental study on ground treatment of high fill embankments over expansive soils Scientific Reports High fill embankment Expansive soil Dynamic compaction Sand compaction pile In-situ experimental study |
| title | Field experimental study on ground treatment of high fill embankments over expansive soils |
| title_full | Field experimental study on ground treatment of high fill embankments over expansive soils |
| title_fullStr | Field experimental study on ground treatment of high fill embankments over expansive soils |
| title_full_unstemmed | Field experimental study on ground treatment of high fill embankments over expansive soils |
| title_short | Field experimental study on ground treatment of high fill embankments over expansive soils |
| title_sort | field experimental study on ground treatment of high fill embankments over expansive soils |
| topic | High fill embankment Expansive soil Dynamic compaction Sand compaction pile In-situ experimental study |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-14911-2 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT binhou fieldexperimentalstudyongroundtreatmentofhighfillembankmentsoverexpansivesoils AT faningdang fieldexperimentalstudyongroundtreatmentofhighfillembankmentsoverexpansivesoils AT weihuading fieldexperimentalstudyongroundtreatmentofhighfillembankmentsoverexpansivesoils AT haibinxue fieldexperimentalstudyongroundtreatmentofhighfillembankmentsoverexpansivesoils AT hongzhan fieldexperimentalstudyongroundtreatmentofhighfillembankmentsoverexpansivesoils |